Effect of stocking density on vegetation and animal performance within the semi-arid shrublands of the Karoo,South Africa

As the primary land use in the Karoo, extensive small-stock farming contributes significantly towards the agricultural economy of the region. However, the sustainability of this practice has been questioned for many years. This led to the establishment of a long-term stocking-density trial in 1988 at the Carnarvon Research Station. The trial was designed on a three-camp rotational grazing system under four stocking densities (8, 7, 5.5 and 4 ha SSU^–1). Following continuous treatment over 28 years, the results from a once-off assessment in February 2016 portrayed no significant differences between treatments with regard to plant height, cover, species diversity, ecological and grazing index scores. Animal production varied among treatments where the mean production per hectare was found to be the highest under the high stocking-density treatment. Due to the absence of historical data, the results from this study are not conclusive with regards to changes in the vegetation dynamics over time and therefore does not lend itself to making conclusions concerning stocking densities. It can, however, be concluded that the vegetation of the Western Upper Karoo is remarkably resilient to the perceived higher stocking densities set at the time, on condition that an appropriate grazing management strategy is applied.     

Zoonotic origin and transmission of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus in the UAE

Since the emergence of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS‐CoV) in 2012, there have been a number of clusters of human‐to‐human transmission. These cases of human‐to‐human transmission involve close contact and have occurred primarily in healthcare settings, and they are suspected to result from repeated zoonotic introductions. In this study, we sequenced whole MERS‐CoV genomes directly from respiratory samples collected from 23 confirmed MERS cases in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). These samples included cases from three nosocomial and three household clusters. The sequences were analysed for changes and relatedness with regard to the collected epidemiological data and other available MERS‐CoV genomic data. Sequence analysis supports the epidemiological data within the clusters, and further, suggests that these clusters emerged independently. To understand how and when these clusters emerged, respiratory samples were taken from dromedary camels, a known host of MERS‐CoV, in the same geographic regions as the human clusters. Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus genomes from six virus‐positive animals were sequenced, and these genomes were nearly identical to those found in human patients from corresponding regions. These data demonstrate a genetic link for each of these clusters to a camel and support the hypothesis that human MERS‐CoV diversity results from multiple zoonotic introductions.     

Health Factors Associated with Microchip Insertion in Horses

The objectives of this study were to characterize the inflammatory response after microchip insertion, evaluate pain response and swelling at the microchip insertion site, and measure migration of the microchips. Eighteen mature Quarter Horse mares were separated by expected parturition dates and then assigned randomly to treatment groups. The microchip group (n = 7) had microchips inserted using a sterile needle and syringe; the sham group (n = 7) had a needle inserted but no microchip; and the control group (n = 4) had no insertion. The inflammatory response was measured over a 2-week period by measuring dermal temperature, response to pressure, and swelling at the insertion site and plasma serum amyloid A (SAA). For the migration component of the study, radiographs of the seven microchipped horses were taken over 6 months after insertion. These radiographs allowed measurement between a select vertebral point and the microchip. The microchip and sham insertion did not cause a detectable increase in temperature. Algometer readings, used to quantify pressure necessary to induce a pain threshold response, indicated that microchip insertion area was more sensitive than sham insertion at 2 hours, day 1, and day 3 post insertion. Visible swelling began 2 hours postinsertion and resolved by day 3. SAA concentrations were affected by day following insertion, but not by treatment group. Increases in SAA concentration could not be matched with local insertion reactions. Migration was not detected in any of the horses during the 6 months within a 0.7-cm margin of error.     

Distribution of antibodies against porcine circovirus type-2 (PCV2) in single site and multi-site farrow-to-finish farms in Brazil

A comparative serologic study was performed in seven single site (SS) farrow-to-finish farms and four multi-site (MS) farrow-to-finish farms, with or without post-weaning multisystemic wasting syndrome (PMWS). In each farm, 30 blood samples were collected for each category of the production cycle: sows, farrowing crate, nursery, grower pigs, and finishing pigs. Sera were evaluated for the presence of antibodies to porcine circovirus type-2 (PCV2) via immunoperoxidase monolayer assay. Serologic profiles for PCV2 were different between SS and MS farms. Seroconversion following the decline in maternal antibodies occurred at a later stage on SS farms (grower pigs) than MS farms (nursery pigs). MS farms tended to have lower antibody titers than SS farms in the categories of sow, piglet, and nursery, while higher antibody titers were found in grower pigs. Characterization of serologic profiles for different farms may provide important information for the adoption of vaccination programs.     

Association of increased tracheal mucus accumulation with poor willingness to perform in show-jumpers and dressage horses

The objective of this study was to examine the association of pharyngeal lymphoid hyperplasia (PLH), recurrent laryngeal neuropathy (RLN), mucus accumulation (MA) score and tracheobronchial secretion neutrophil percentage (TBS-N) with rider-assessed performance in sport horses. Airway endoscopy scores, tracheobronchial secretion cytology, rider-assessed general impression and willingness to perform were investigated in 171 top-level sport horses. Increased MA appears to be associated with poor willingness to perform in sport horses. Older horses had decreased PLH scores and increased TBS-N. Mucus accumulation scores > or =3 were associated with increased odds (mean 9.92; upper and lower 95% confidence intervals: 1.5-64.6) of poor rather than excellent willingness to perform. A TBS-N of 20-50% compared with <20% was associated with decreased odds (median 0.11; upper and lower 95% CI: 0.02-0.66) of poor rather than excellent willingness to perform. In addition, horses with an RLN grade > or =2 had significantly higher odds for giving a poorer general impression and willingness to perform. This finding, however, must be interpreted with caution, since only two horses had significant RLN (grade > or =3).     

Factors determining the nutrition transition in two Mediterranean islands: Sardinia and Malta

OBJECTIVE: To examine and analyse consumption changes over time of 24 food items between Sardinia and Malta. SETTING: The data were collected in 2001 in Sardinia and 2002 in Malta. DESIGN: A structured qualitative questionnaire, articulated around four main themes: food supply, transformation, preparation and consumption habits, was administered by face-to-face interviews with the help of a local person. It encompassed mainly open-ended questions, which allowed us to measure factors contributing to change. SUBJECTS: Thirty mother-daughter pairs were interviewed in each insular territory. RESULTS: Despite a common trend revealing a shift away from cereals, pulses and potatoes to the benefit of meat products, fats and sugar, our results showed contrasting evolutions in food consumption between both insular societies. Fruit and vegetables, olive oil and fish, which are part of the main features of the Mediterranean diet, were among the top foods for which consumption frequency has increased in Sardinia. In Malta, besides an increase in olive oil and vegetable consumption, cheeses and desserts showed the highest increase. Along with modernity and improved living conditions, enhanced commercial availability and increased diversity of food preparation were also identified as factors contributing to food consumption changes. CONCLUSIONS: Although the Sardo-Mediterranean model is evolving under the impact of modernisation, it is not disappearing. In Malta, however, modernity has led to a more sudden shift from a state of food shortage to one of affluence, but in a cultural context where the identity is no longer Mediterranean but Anglo-Saxon.